Most people immediately think of their closest family member – whether that be your parents, your children or your spouse.  However, that might not be the best person to be making medical decisions for you in case of your incapacity.

Family members have the hardest time letting go.  One of the big responsibilities of a health care agent or proxy is to possibly stop life-sustaining medical care if you’re ever in a persistent vegetative state or coma.  This responsibility can be extremely hard for a close family member to carry out even if you have had a discussion about it with them in the past and/or you have it written down in a health care directive or living will.

Perhaps it would serve both you and your family better if instead of a close family member being your health care agent, you nominate a very close friend instead.  Not to say that some friends aren’t like family, but generally speaking, friends might be less emotionally affected with making a decision such as ending life-sustaining medical procedures than a very close family member would.